Alright, Median household income is $72,122, which feels about average for the area. You can expect to pay around $1,340 for rent here. It's a a mid-size city city with about 106K people. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. Does this match your experience? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
56 upvotes
15 Replies
Colton Gonzalez
big facts right here
37 upvotes
Noah Hernandez
I've lived in Old Town for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- The cultural scene scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Scarlett Brown
noted, appreciate it
29 upvotes
dallas_colton
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 2 years. Moved from Phoenix for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is decent - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Greenfield schools are hit or miss. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Chain restaurants dominate. Homeless population growing downtown. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Eli T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 7 years. Moved from Austin for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are average. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Not very walkable outside downtown. Property taxes are high. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Audrey
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
21 upvotes
Allison Foster
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 33, moved here 14 years ago from New York. I've lived in Fairview and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Can feel isolated
3. The healthcare situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from New York, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
9 upvotes
David M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 13 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is tough - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are surprisingly good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Nightlife is limited. Can feel isolated. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Victoria
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 2 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
wild_angel53
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great sushi places. the quality of life is solid.
7 upvotes
Alexander
+1
7 upvotes
Kaylee Gutierrez
Came here for work and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The cost of living is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
6 upvotes
Luca Mitchell
Moved here from Minneapolis about 8 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to community vibe but Feel free to reach out with questions..
3 upvotes
Bennett Wilson
I've lived in Westside for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
- The weather scene is average
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
All Countries
